The government was on life support because of the same people killing it now. If you want to shrink the government, you first break it, then say it’s broken and must be reduced as a result.

The alternative was followed from the 30s during FDR until arguably the 80s…make the government effective, and it was immensely successful.

That was dependent upon an interpretation of the 10th amendment achieved via intimidation to pack the courts. Before that most the regulatory apparatus would not be constitutional.

What many of us are welcoming is an end to most regulation of most intrastate commerce except as authorized by the constitution. It is time to undo the damage of Wickard v Filburn.

What damage? You think the American economy was better during the robber baron era before the federal government had the ability to regulate interstate commerce and redistributive taxation, strong unions, and things like the GI bill created a large middle class capable of buying goods and services?

We’re backsliding into serfdom forgetting what Henry ford said when asked why he was raising wages far above competition: “I’ll sell more cars if my employees can afford to buy them”

If it’s austerity why are they raising the debt limit by 4 trillion and awarding massive contracts to their cronies (or themselves)? They are not trying to cut costs, they are trying to reallocate wealth away from the working class and into billionaire pockets.

> awarding massive contracts to their cronies (or themselves)?

Source(s) that this is actually happening?

That's the endgame I see.

Oligarchy. Kleptocracy. Morons cheering because they're deluded enough to believe that the definition of "pork" is when the government transfers money directly to lower and middle class via paychecks.

Congress will authorize contractors to do these jobs instead. We get back privatized versions of the old government services at a higher price, and the money goes into the bank accounts of the rich.

I'd like to read the CBO report on what this shit will actually cost over ten years.